Ecclesiastes 11:1 – ‘Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.'
I would like to highlight three principles of the Kingdom of God based on this passage.
1. The Principle of Discipleship
Bread in this passage signifies the Word of God and the water are the people. Matthew’s gospel closes by giving Jesus’ standing orders known as the GREAT COMMISSION – Matthew 28: 18 – 20. Jesus used four verbs to describe our great responsibility: GO -> Make Disciples -> Baptize -> Teach
In the English language, the two verbs are imperatives or commands – GO & make disciples. In Greek only one verb is imperative – make disciples. The other three are participles: going, baptizing, and teaching. Evangelism is integral to our faith!
2.
The Principle of Giving
Giving is an important aspect of our Christian walk. There are two kinds of givers: Those who give by REASON and those who give by REVELATION. If you give by reason – you calculate how much you will give, by how much you can afford to give. If you give by revelation, you say ‘How much can I give away?' I have heard many arguments and teachings why one should or shouldn't tithe. It is sad that there is so much confusion and debate about a simple task of giving 10% of your income to God. Tithing is emphasized a lot in the Old Testament, but as New Testament believers, we choose to tithe and we give offerings over and above the tithe. Tithing is basically the principle of first fruits. It was established in the Garden of Eden: One tree for God and all the rest for Adam and Eve. In Genesis 28: 20-22 – Jacob made a commitment to God regarding the tithe. This is an eternal principle. In Malachi 3: 10 –1 2 we see that g iving God His 10% of your first fruits puts an incredible promise into action
.
Promise 1 – verse 10 – He will open the windows of heaven…
Promise 2 – verse 11 – He will protect you
Promise 3 – verse 11 – He will rebuke the devourer [the devil] for your sake
3.
The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
This is also an eternal principle. There are several references to sowing and reaping in the Bible…..
Proverbs 11:18 – He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward
Proverbs 22: 8 – He who sows wickedness reaps trouble
Notice there are 2 areas where people sow and reap. The Scripture in Galatians talks of sowing to the flesh [and reaping corruption] and sowing to the spirit [and reaping spiritual rewards]. May sow love in love and reap love!
